AutoMotion Blog

2015 Range Rover Sport SVR to be First Land Rover to Wear High-Performance Badge

Land Rover has introduced the high-performance SVR badge to its 2015 Range Rover Sport SUV. With a 5.0-liter, supercharged V-8 engine that produces 550 horsepower and 502 lb.-ft. of torque, the 2015 Range Rover Sport SVR is the most dynamically focused Land Rover yet produced, according to the automaker. Land Rover says the new Range Rover Sport SVR can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and can achieve a top track speed of 162 mph. Other notable features include an 8-speed automatic transmission, 4-wheel drive, electronically controlled dual-stage active exhaust, and an aerodynamically efficient exterior.

"The Range Rover Sport SVR is a natural progression beyond the core vehicle's outstanding on- and off-road capabilities and leading-edge design," said John Edwards, managing director of Land Rover special operations. "Its exhilarating performance will satisfy a particularly demanding customer set."

The Range Rover Sport SVR features an all-aluminum unibody that reduces its weight by 39%, compared with its predecessor, according to Land Rover. Other design enhancements include larger air intakes in the front bumper to increase airflow to two intercoolers that reduce the temperature of pressurized air from the supercharger before it enters the engine. The engine's design characteristics include low internal friction; high-pressure direct injection with a centrally mounted, multi-hole, spray-guided injection system; dual independent variable camshaft timing (VCT); and an advanced intelligent start/stop system that shuts off the engine when the vehicle is stationary, and instantly restarts it when the driver is ready to move. Land Rover says that by providing 8 close shift ratios, they've reduced shift times by up to 50%. A Corner Recognition feature maintains one gear through a turn, to improve stability. Full automatic mode is the default setting for the transmission, but the driver may make occasional manual interventions, or switch to complete manual control.